Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday urged the Centre and State governments to mull the possibility of imposing full ban on alcohol and tobacco products.
In a statement, he cited World Health Organization (WHO) disclosure that Tobacco lobbyists tried to manipulate the COVID-19 policy making and its warning that smoking tobacco products is likely to increase the chances of contracting the coronavirus disease.
WHO campaign has also defeated the ploy to include tobacco products as essential, which is commendable, Mr. Anbumani said.
The Centre and state governments must out rightly reject any proposal to include tobacco as essential product and even after the lockdown is lifted, there must be a ban on selling and consuming the products for a few months in Tamil Nadu and other places, he said.
Mr. Anbumani said the lockdown has shown that people can live without tobacco and liquor products.
Using this opportunity, he requested to public to quit smoking and drinking totally, he said.
